of the two deeds that bring down a curse.” They asked, “What are the two deeds that bring down a curse?” He replied, “(First,) the one who relieves himself on people’s pathways, and (second) the one who does so in the places where they seek shade.”

The term lâʿin (curse-inducing) is the active participle derived from laʿn (a curse). The Prophet ﷺ described these acts as “lâʿin” because they provoke people to invoke a curse upon whoever commits them. Hence, anyone who answers the call of nature on public roads or in others’ shade is under a curse—may Allah protect us.

Likewise, if a person comes across urine or feces on a pathway or in a shaded spot, he has the right to say, “O Allah, curse the one who did this,” for the offender has exposed himself to that very supplication.

In the same vein, it is forbidden to urinate in still water, because the Prophet ﷺ explicitly prohibited it in the hadith of Jābir reported by Muslim. Accordingly, no one may relieve himself in stagnant water such as a pond or the like.

Running water is different, for its flow carries the impurity away and generally prevents harm—unless the stream empties into a small canal where people downstream wash or drink. In that situation, it is also unlawful, because it harms those below. Allah is the grantor of success.